334 Theology Today cation" radiates into all aspects of human existence. Technical critique of language puts language on trial, resulting in the "death of language and silence at the end." On another level, the mass media and information technology trivialize language. Steiner reminds us, "A total negation of the semantic, a logos-nihilism . . . occurs towards the final moments of Timon ofAthens." The dialectics of the inhuman in Nazism and Stalinism take over precisely when truth is rendered speechless. With a vivid story, Steiner indicates the possible connection between anti-language and death camps: "Dying of thirst, an inmate watched his torturer slowly spill on the floor a glass of fresh water. 'Why are you doing this?' The butcher replied: 'There is no "why" here.' Signifying. . . the divorce between humanity and language, between reason and syntax, between dialogue and hope." Death camps are symptomatic of a culture that obliterates the asking of "why." The warning is clear: "The God-hypothesis will not be mocked without cost."Steiner's approach is rather simple, though his presentations convoluted. We are presented with a wager between the empiricist negation of the transcendent, leading to nihilism, and the metaphysical quest for meaning, which affirms creativity. Steiner does not argue; he shows. Those looking for linear arguments will be disappointed.The book is both difficult and easy. Difficult, because it is massive and compressed, its style intimidating and forbidding. Steiner could have made it more accessible to those less cultured than his peers. Worse still, his presentations appear at times repetitive and almost disorganized. It is easy, however, for there is no involuted logical argument to tease out. There are just cycles of insights around a central theme. In any case, this is a powerful book, full of penetrating comments and compelling illustrations. One feels the passion, the persuasive force, and the richness. It is a rewarding book for those undeterred by heavy readings. Minneapolis, Fortress, 2001. 134 pp. $15.00.As postmodernism has increasingly called into question pursuits related to universality, closed systems, and general theories, the idea of writing a systematic theology seems suspect from the start. Still, Kathryn Tanner, professor of theology at the Divinity School, University of Chicago, boldly attempts to provide a coherent, consistent account of Christian faith. Originally developed as lectures, the four chapters in this slim